BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Five Binghamton families say they’ve learned the skills to be better parents, sons and daughters while connecting with the broader community.
The Astor D. Rice Foundation held a graduation ceremony last night at East Middle School honoring the families that recently completed its FACE program. FACE stands for Families Achieve Community Empowerment.
The twelve-week program at East Middle focused on fostering family bonds, exploring community resources, and building stronger, more resilient families.
Students met after school on Tuesdays and participated in skill-building activities and took fields trips to a bowling alley, a Cornell basketball game and a fitness gym. On Thursdays they held a family night program which included parents and siblings where the parents learned conflict-resolution skills, how to better work with their school and how to access community resources.There was also a strong focus on spending time together as a family.
Executive Director of the foundation Amy Rice believes nourishing relationships in the home creates a strong foundation to better succeed in school.
“I have just seen both the youth and the families just flourish and grow, develop stronger familial bonds and just really, really come together as a community. We formed a little community right here and we strengthen each other,” said Rice.
The foundation was founded by Rice’s brother King Rice in honor of their father Astor D. Rice, who was a dedicated member of the community.
Rice says the program was made possible by a grant from the City of Binghamton’s $1 million Youth Fund.
The program will hold a new session starting in February and hopes to increase the number of families participating.
‑ Reproduced from original source (binghamtonhomepage.com) Read More
BINGHAMTON (WBNG) -- On Thursday, $150,000 was announced for the Astor D. Rice Foundation for a new youth program serving at-risk Binghamton middle school students and their families.
The Astor D. Rice Foundation, a non-profit organization, will use the funds to launch the Families Achieve Community Empowerment program, or FACE. The initiative will allow middle school-aged children and their families to have interventions aimed at reducing high-risk behaviors, decreasing school disciplinary actions, improving family communication and building stronger communities.
Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said the program seeks to improve graduation rates and reduce juvenile and adult crime rates. It also aims to improve overall satisfaction with mental health and wellness.
“We’re bridging a critical gap in youth services that has left too many of our middle school students and their families without the support or resources they need and deserve,” said Kraham in a news release. “With this funding, the Astor D. Rice Foundation will provide early intervention and proactive support to youth and their families, helping them navigate these crucial years and setting them up for future success.”
“Middle school years are a critical time in a youth’s academic and social development,” said Executive Director of the Astor D. Rice Foundation Amy Rice. “With support from the City of Binghamton, the Astor D. Rice Foundation will use a multi-systemic approach to include students, parents, school staff and the wider community in addressing underlying family issues that lead to at-risk behaviors among youth.”
The funding comes from the city’s $1 million youth fund, which was announced in Fall 2022.
In addition to the funding for the Astor D. Rice Foundation, the City to date has allocated a total of $500,000 from the youth fund to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Binghamton, Street Addiction Institute and Lourdes Youth Services.
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BINGHAMTON, NY – (WIVT/WBGH) A local foundation is inspiring Binghamton High School student-athletes to be their most confident selves on and off the court.
The Astor D Rice Foundation is recognizing BHS basketball’s hard work by making a generous equipment donation to the program. The high school has a long tradition of developing accomplished athletes and the foundation is giving every player an equal opportunity to continue the legacy this upcoming season.
“At The Astor D Rice Foundation, we believe in the power of sports to build character, instill discipline, and foster teamwork. By donating these cleats to the Binghamton High School Basketball Program, we aim to provide the student-athletes with the necessary equipment to excel in their athletic pursuits and inspire them to achieve success both on the court and in the classroom. We want to give a special thanks to Dick’s Sporting Goods, Nike, and Rob Baxter of BX Player Development for helping to make this happen,” said Executive Director, Amy Rice.
The Astor D Rice Foundation is a newly established nonprofit committed to supporting education and athletic programs to empower local youth to lead good and happy lives. Astor Rice was a Binghamton native and father of five who dedicated his life to caring for others in the community. The foundation is working to continue his legacy by supporting less fortunate individuals and families in the community.
“This collaboration aligns perfectly with our aim to create opportunities that uplift and empower the youth, and we are eager to witness the positive impact it will have on the Binghamton High School Community,” said Rice.
‑ Reproduced from original source (Binghamton Homepage) Read More
BINGHAMTON (WBNG) - May 6 will mark a first for Binghamton as community members will gather for the City Center Community Cleanup Day.
Executive Director Amy Rice is one of the organizers of Saturday’s event.
“My brother, King, founded the Astor D. Rice Foundation in honor of our father who was a committed member of this community,” said Rice. “We grew up in this neighborhood and King and I still have an undying love for this neighborhood and we just want to give back to this community.”
To make this event possible, various community organizations are joining forces.
“I’m excited to be partnering with our friends at VINES and we’re also thankful for the help from the Koffman Incubator, the Community Foundation, and well as the City of Binghamton,” said King.
For registered volunteers, report time will be 11 a.m. along Carroll Street’s Columbus Park. From there, the street to be cleaned will be Lisle Avenue, Carroll Street, Susquehanna Street, Fayette Street and Hawley Street.
Gloves, trash bags, rakes and gloves will be provided for attendees.
Rice has also asked volunteers to give back in more than one way by donating hygiene products when they arrive that will then be given to the YWCA. Acceptable items include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and more.
This is just the beginning, according to Rice. She would like this effort to be held more than once a year.
If interested, you can sign up at this link.
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